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Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Dressing Room - Rock'n'Roll!

Hello, new and old friends alike, I’m super excited to be
blogging to you from The Dressing Room here at House of A La Mode! When my dear
far-away friend, Heather, approached me about becoming her glitz & glam guest-blogger, I was like, “uhh, duhhh!!!” …If you know me from my own blog, apriltwoeighty.com, you know that I dabble in all things décor, design,
fashion, and craftiness. What you may not know, is just how much I dabble in these things. So, before I get to the good
stuff, I want to let you know what I’m all about. Let’s get to know each other,
shall we?

Who the heck are you? //

That’s a really great question that
I am still figuring out the answer to (more on this later). But, bare bones
info: I’m Brooke. I’m 32 ½ (although the half years seem to mean less and less
as I get older), and recently single after a very long time. I live in
Portland, Maine – which is not all lobsters, moose, and flannel shirts
(although, I’ve got to be honest, I own some over sized flannel shirts and there
is absolutely nothing more comfy!) – Portland is actually a very artsy, foodie
and fun little coastal city. I live in a one room studio apartment (the size of
most people’s living room) with two cats that ignore me a lot of the time,
except between the hours of 1am-3am when I’m trying to sleep. On weekends I
spend most of my time as a house/dog sitter. On weekdays, I help maintain 24
operating roomsat the largest Maine
hospital as an anesthesia technician – which means I wear the least fashionable
thing possible for 40 hours a week: turquoise hospital provided scrubs and a
hair cap (and Crocs *shudder*; at least they’re pink). It’s what I do when I’m
not at work which dramatically sets me apart from most (if not all) of my
coworkers.

Living in such a small space has drastically changed the way I'll be celebrating Christmas this year; I have picked up and put together only a few decorations, which will actually probably stay up year round. Nothing says "Brooke" like hot pink Christmas lights (and I'm not sure why I never had these to begin with!).

I realize they likely look like something out of a Katy
Perry video from the sidewalk outside, but on the inside it’s a pure sassy,
sexy, single-lady Christmas. With no room for a tree in here (even a table
top!), I’m improvising. As much as I LOVE Christmas decorations (of which I
have many stored in my parents’ basement for the time being), I am taking this
year to reflect on the things that are more important to me during the
holidays: family, friends, handmade gifts, a roof over my head, and small
sparkle-y things. I'm having a very non-traditional, Rock'n'Roll Christmas around here!

I used this tutorial from one of my favorite blogs, Bleubird Vintage, to make this super adorable cross bunting/garland. I used black paper, but I think it would look great in any color for any season in any tiny corner of your home! It took me about an hour to make it start to finish and it quickly became one of my favorite little bits about my place. I hung it using some washi tape I picked up at Target.

I've also got some sparkle-y goodies kicking around on my shelves that I've collected for this season:

Are you getting a feel for what my tree would have looked like, if I had space for one? ;)

Lastly, the final thing I would like to share with you, is the self-done manicure I'm sporting this week. It was inspired by everything I've posted thus far - crosses & glitter!

from left to right:

Orly Powder Puff 40410

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Invisible 100

Nicole by Opi Rainbow in the S-Kylie (sparkles)

Sephora travel sized Black

Okay. I think thats more than enough for this first post! I can be long-winded, and have SOOOO much I can't wait to share. If you get a chance, let me know what your favorite quirky Christmas decoration is, or if you have anything that you keep up year round!

I have a magenta tinsel tree with lime ornaments and a green tinsel tree for the hot pink and magenta ornaments. Both have purple lights and hundreds of small clear pink balls that look like floating soap bubbles. Thinking it would look good in your nook.

Lovely to meet you Brooke. This will be fun. Love the apartment and your style.

My tree this year is going to be hung on the wall. I think I'm going to find some good sturdy wire, make a tree shape and hang it - just a little afraid the new dog will decide whatever tree I put out (fake or real) is a chew toy just for her. I'll still be able to hang my ornaments on it and lights and whatever.

I follow you on Instagram, but how nice to 'meet' you here! Looking forward to your Sunday posts.

We have a very coordinated, themed Christmas tree - from the front. On the backside, which we can see from the kitchen table, are all the special family ornaments... My glass pink flamingo, hubby's rubber duck, the ornament my daughter made in pre-school last year & many more. I love looking at that special part of the tree each morning & night as we eat.

You had me at "anything with glitter on it." Girl, bring your AMH leopard frock to Australia so we can wrap ourselves in glitter ribbons and call it a day! So glad to see you guest blogging. I love everything you're about right now!

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